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Great Author Visit with Ken Liu |
WE ARE THRILLED to welcome award-winning author Ken Liu on Thursday, October 10, at 7 pm, as our next Great Authors at the Library speaker. Liu is an American author of speculative fiction. A winner of the Nebula, Hugo, and World Fantasy awards, he wrote The Dandelion Dynasty, a silkpunk epic fantasy series, as well as The Paper Menagerie and The Hidden Girl short story collections. He’s also acclaimed for his translations, including global bestseller The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu. Netflix premiered a popular new series this year based on the books.
Both locations will close at 5 pm to prepare. Doors open at 6:30 pm at the Main Library exclusively for this event. A book signing will follow the talk.
Made possible with support from the Library Foundation. Photo by Lisa Tang Liu.
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CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN and autumn with a book “treat” to take home. Kids—from infants through grade 5—get to choose one free book during our weeklong Halloween Booktacular Giveaway at the Main Library and Douglass Branch from October 26–31. Just stop by and ask at the Children’s Desk! |
It’s a Howl-o-ween Party! |
Sat., Oct. 26, from 12–3 pm | JOIN US for an afternoon of Halloween fun with creepy crafts and ghoulish games. Pick up your free book (for infants through grade 5). Costumes and kids of all ages are welcome! |
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Wed., Oct. 30, at 9:45 & 10:30 am | ENJOY STORIES, music, and movement for children ages 3 to 5, with a caregiver. This 30-minute storytime emphasizes pre-reading skills and activities. We will parade through the Children’s area after. Costumes welcome! |
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NEED HELP applying for Medicare? Call 217/403-2000 or sign up online to get your questions answered by Nicole Mitchell, Senior Services Specialist for Champaign County Health Care Consumers. Appointments available on Tuesdays from October 22–December 3. |
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Virtual Visits with
Bestselling Authors |
THIS MONTH you can enjoy virtual visits with two #1 New York Times bestselling authors: Erika L. Sánchez and Jason Reynolds. Sign up to get the Zoom link:
Presented in partnership with Illinois Libraries Present, a coalition of 200 public libraries.
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LIKE TO WRITE? Hone your skills and meet other writers at this month’s Writer’s Workshops. Ted Sanders will teach you about Story Elements: Building Tension (10/2) and Ekta R. Garg will share Tools to Make Your Short Story Better (10/16). Find details about the series and annual Short Story Contest on our website. (Contest entries will be due November 8.) |
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Sunday, Oct. 6, at 2 pm | GET YOUR QUESTIONS answered by experts from KC Counseling, LLC at a talk designed to help parents identify and address eating disorders symptoms in children. Part of the Growing Together series. |
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DO YOU KNOW a high school student who is interested in starting and growing a business? The Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP) runs from February through May, 2025. YEP participants can win up to $5,000 in seed money for their business. The program is free and open to all area high school students. Made possible with support from the Library Foundation. Sign up starting November 1. |
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Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 6 pm | CREATE YOUR OWN beautiful acrylic painting at this month’s Crafty Adults workshop. Sign up starting Oct. 1 » |
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Thursday, Oct. 17, at 6 pm | QUESTIONS about insurance? Join Bret Kroencke from Country Financial to improve your financial security through Understanding Insurance. Part of the Money Matter$ series. |
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Friday, Oct. 25, at 6 pm | ARE YOU a performing artist? Bring your talent, materials, and instruments to the Douglass Branch! Sign up to perform or just drop by to listen. For adults & teens. |
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ENJOY COFFEE, socializing, and learning something new at this month’s Tuesdays at Ten series, including WILL-FM host Jason Croft introducing music from his Atomic Age Cocktail Party Radio Show. Meets at the Main Library on Tuesdays at 10 am.
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Job Seekers & Entrepreneurs |
LOOKING FOR A JOB or launching a business? We can help! Local experts presenting this month include Sharla Jolly, Senior Development Manager of the American Cancer Society, (10/17), Julie King, King Patent and Business Law, PLLC (10/22), and Rosa Druker, Dispute Resolution Institute (10/31). 10/1 · Business & Career Help, drop in 5–7 pm, Douglass Branch
10/2 · Career Help, drop in 11 am–1 pm
10/8 · Identify & Engage Your Target Audience, 2 pm
10/10 · Business Help, drop in 12–3 pm
10/17 · How to Run an Annual Campaign, 1 pm
10/19 · Professional Headshot Sessions, 11 am–1 pm* (event full)
10/22 · Understanding Business Structures, Trademarks, & Patents, 6 pm
10/23 · Holiday Marketing Checklist, 10 am
10/31 · Career Lunch & Learn: Navigating Conflict, 12 pm
*Some events require reservations.
Business Resources »
Career Resources » |
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STARTING THIS MONTH, you’ll have free access to The Wall Street Journal online. Read in-depth coverage of business, tech, and politics, in the U.S. and around the world. Available in English, Chinese, and Japanese. Login using your Champaign library card. No card? You can access at the library. |
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TECH QUESTIONS? This month’s Getting Started with Tech series (Tuesdays at 2 pm) includes hands-on workshops introducing Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Our evening Tech Workshop (10/14) is designed to help you get started with iPhones and iPads. Sign up online or give us a call at 217/403-2000. We are happy to help! |
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FriendShop Bookstore Sales |
DURING OCTOBER, you’ll save 50% off hardcovers at the FriendShop Bookstore. Open to everyone, the shop includes more than 20,000 used books, movies, and audiobooks, and is located on the lower level of the Main Library. Most items are $2 or less. And the best part? All the money you spend goes right back to the library!
Open Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 1–4 pm
10/9–13 · Members’ Half-Price Sale
10/23–27 · Tag Bag Sale – Take home a bag of books for just $1
Want to help? We are looking for volunteers to join our team of cashiers. We appreciate your support! |
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Both locations will close at 5 pm on October 10 to prepare for Ken Liu’s talk.
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Congratulations to Leah who stopped by to pick up her Grand Prize gift basket from the Read for the Stars! Summer Reading Challenge. |
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
FOR ALL AGES
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Studio Drop-in Hours
• Saturdays, 9 am–6 pm
• Sundays, 12–6 pm
• Thursdays, 5–7 pm
DROP IN during open hours to explore the new 8,000 sq. ft. makerspace at the Main Library—and create something new! The Studio » |
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CU Jazz Festival
Sun., Oct. 13, at 3 pm
Catch some live jazz music and unwind at the library. |
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Sewing 101
Wed., Oct. 23, at 6:30 pm
Learn how to use the Bernina sewing machines available in The Studio. Sign up starting Oct. 1 » |
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Yarn & Shenanigans
Mon., Oct. 7 & 21, at 6 pm
Douglass Branch |
Coffee and a Craft | Handkerchief Pumpkin
Thu., Oct. 10, at 2 pm
Douglass Branch |
Project READ Tutoring
Drop in Fridays from 9:30–11:30 am |
Project READ Introduction to Tutor Training
Fri., Oct. 11, at 10 am
Sign up » |
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Gale Courses Start Monthly |
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LOOKING FOR something exciting to do after school? Middle and high school students are invited to stop by for activities and fun.
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School’s Out! Spooky Crafternoon
Wed., Oct. 16, from 1–3 pm
Drop in for creepy crafts and get ready for Halloween. |
DIY Kids
Wednesdays at 4 pm
Douglass Branch
>> Pipe Cleaner Fun, Tech Toys, Articulated Grabber, Skeleton Hand, Spooktacular Crafts |
Family Fun Night
Thursdays at 6:30 pm*
>> Fall Watercolor Art, Read to the Dogs, Family Yoga, Paper Bag Haunted House
*No meeting October 10 |
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10 Storytimes Every Week! |
• Baby Storytime – Mondays, 9:45, 10: 15, & 10:45 am, Main Library; and Thursdays, 10:30 am, Douglass Branch
• Toddler Storytime – Tuesdays, 9:45, 10:15, & 10:45 am, Main Library; and Fridays, 10:30 am, Douglass Branch
• Preschool Storytime – Wednesdays, 9:45 & 10:30 am, Main Library
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Bilingual Storytime
Portuguese & English
Tue., Oct. 22, at 6:30 pm |
Mother Goose Storytime
11:15 am
10/28 · Douglass Branch
10/30 · Main Library |
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WHAT’S NEW? New Releases hit the shelves every week on Tuesday mornings. Reserve your copy now or give us a call at 217/403-2000. We’ll let you know when your hold items are ready for pickup! |
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